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Some Girl(s) (2013) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Some Girl(s) (2013) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 90 min · English
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Directed by
Daisy von Scherler Mayer
Starring
Emily Watson, Zoe Kazan, Kristen Bell, Jennifer Morrison, Adam Brody, Mía Maestro

As a wedding day approaches, a successful writer begins a journey to examine his past relationships. He revisits former loves, confronting the reasons behind their endings and seeking a deeper understanding of himself. Through these encounters, he hopes to find emotional clarity before committing to his future.

On this page (10)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (6)
  3. 3 Character relationship map
  4. 4 Where & when it takes place
  5. 5 Themes & meaning (3)
  6. 6 Character & meaning questions
  7. 7 The book behind the movie
  8. 8 Movie threads
  9. 9 Movies like Some Girl(s)
  10. 10 Every angle
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6 main characters · contains spoilers

Some Girl(s) Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Some Girl(s) (2013), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Man

    The protagonist, referred to as 'Man', is a successful writer on a journey of self-reflection. He is portrayed as flawed, exhibiting a pattern of selfishness and commitment issues that have damaged many of his relationships. Despite his charm, his inability to confront the consequences of his actions leaves a trail of emotional turmoil.

    • 💔 Protagonist
    • 📝 Writer
    • 🤔 Self-Reflection
  • Sam

    Sam is Man's high school girlfriend, now married with children, who confronts him about the pain caused by his abrupt departure years ago. Her character represents the haunting effects of unresolved emotional trauma and the struggle to find closure after being hurt.

    • 👩‍👧‍👦 Mother
    • 😢 Emotional
    • 🤔 Confrontational
  • Tyler

    Tyler is a free-spirited woman who shares a passionate history with Man. Despite her playful exterior, she harbors resentment towards him for his past abandonment. Tyler embodies the complexities of love mixed with frustration over his lack of commitment.

    • 🌼 Free Spirit
    • 🔥 Passionate
    • 😡 Resentful
  • Lindsay

    Lindsay, a college professor and former mentor of Man, confronts him about their past affair and the emotional manipulation she experienced. Her character illustrates the themes of power dynamics and exploitation in relationships.

    • 📚 Educator
    • 🚨 Manipulated
    • 😔 Upset
  • Reggie

    Reggie, a childhood friend of Man, represents a voice of accountability as she confronts him about the past incident that has haunted her. Her character emphasizes the importance of recognizing how one's actions affect others and the need for growth and understanding.

    • 👧 Childhood Friend
    • 🗣️ Confrontational
    • 😟 Haunted
  • Bobbi

    Bobbi is the woman Man almost married, embodying the theme of fear of commitment. Her character challenges Man to confront his past decisions while showcasing her own strength and ability to move on.

    • 💍 Former Fiancée
    • 💪 Strong
    • 😞 Wounded

Last updated: October 28, 2026 at 20:31

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6 characters · 8 connections · contains spoilers

Some Girl(s) Character Relationship Map

Who is connected to whom in Some Girl(s): family, love, friendships, rivalries and hidden ties, colour-coded. Pick a character to see their side of the story, or a connection to see what brings two characters together.

How much of the story to show
MManSSamTTylerLLindsayRReggieBBobbi

Last updated: October 28, 2026 at 20:31

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Setting

Where and When Does Some Girl(s) Take Place?

The setting of Some Girl(s) (2013): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The movie unfolds in contemporary times, reflecting modern relationship dynamics and societal expectations. It highlights themes of commitment and personal growth that resonate with issues faced in today's world.

Location

Seattle, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles

The film takes place in major cities across the United States, showcasing urban settings like Seattle, known for its iconic Space Needle and coffee culture; Chicago, with its rich history and vibrant arts scene; Boston, steeped in Revolutionary history and prestigious universities; and Los Angeles, the heart of the entertainment industry. Each of these cities serves as a backdrop for the character's reflections and interactions with his past relationships, emphasizing the diverse emotional landscapes the protagonist navigates.

  • 🌆 Cities
  • 🌍 Locations

Last updated: October 28, 2026 at 20:31

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3 major themes

Some Girl(s) Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Some Girl(s) (2013) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Regret

    Regret is a central theme in the film, as the protagonist, Man, confronts the emotional scars left on his ex-girlfriends due to his past actions. Each encounter forces him to acknowledge the pain his selfish behavior has caused, illuminating the complexity of human relationships and the lasting impact of one’s choices.

  • Self-Discovery

    Self-discovery plays a pivotal role throughout the film as Man reflects on his past and contemplates his future. His journey to visit his ex-girlfriends becomes a means to examine his fears of commitment and emotional intimacy, leading to important moments of introspection and potential growth.

  • Relationships

    The film delves deep into the nature of relationships, exploring the complexity of love, loss, and the repercussions of indecision. Each encounter reveals different facets of intimacy and reminds viewers of the importance of communication and honesty in nurturing healthy connections.

Last updated: October 28, 2026 at 20:31

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Character & theme questions

Some Girl(s) Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Some Girl(s) (2013): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

What is the movie about?

Some Girl(s) follows a successful writer who travels across the country to reconnect with former girlfriends before his upcoming wedding. Through these emotionally charged encounters, he confronts the reasons behind each breakup, seeking emotional clarity before committing to his future.

  • plot
  • premise
  • writer
  • ex-girlfriends
  • wedding
Q2

Who is Man, the protagonist?

Man is a successful writer in Some Girl(s) whose real name is never revealed, reflecting his emotional distance and self-protective persona. He is charming and self-aware enough to recognize his flaws, yet struggles to change the selfish patterns that have damaged his past relationships and now threaten his upcoming marriage.

  • protagonist
  • man
  • writer
  • character
Q3

Why does Man visit his ex-girlfriends before his wedding?

In Some Girl(s), Man uses these visits as a form of emotional accounting, hoping to understand the recurring patterns behind his failed relationships before he repeats them. The journey functions less as reconciliation and more as a desperate search for self-awareness, though whether he achieves it remains ambiguous.

  • motivation
  • wedding
  • self-reflection
  • ex-girlfriends
Q4

What does regret mean in the context of the movie?

Regret forms the emotional backbone of Some Girl(s), as the protagonist faces the lasting impact of his selfish behavior on the women he once loved. Each reunion forces him to acknowledge pain he caused, showing how unresolved choices can haunt both parties long after a relationship ends.

  • regret
  • theme
  • emotional impact
  • selfishness
Q5

What does the movie say about relationships?

Some Girl(s) portrays relationships as complex, fragile, and shaped by honesty. Through its different ex-girlfriends, it explores how love, loss, indecision, and unspoken resentments leave lasting marks, emphasizing that communication and accountability are essential for genuine connection.

  • relationships
  • love
  • communication
  • honesty
Q6

How does self-discovery drive the story?

In Some Girl(s), self-discovery shapes the entire narrative, as the protagonist uses his cross-country journey as a mirror to examine his fear of commitment and emotional avoidance. Each conversation peels back a layer of his self-image, pushing him toward potential growth or reinforcing his patterns.

  • self-discovery
  • growth
  • introspection
  • commitment
Q7

Where does the movie take place?

Some Girl(s) unfolds across several major U.S. cities, including Seattle, Chicago, Boston, and Los Angeles. Each city serves as a backdrop for the protagonist's reunion with a former girlfriend, reinforcing the emotional distance and geographic spread of his past relationships.

  • setting
  • seattle
  • chicago
  • boston
  • los angeles
  • locations
Q8

Who is Bobbi in the movie?

Bobbi is the woman Man almost married in Some Girl(s), making her the most direct mirror of his current situation. Her character embodies the fear of commitment theme, challenging Man to confront his past decisions while showing her own strength and willingness to move on.

  • bobbi
  • almost married
  • commitment
  • fear
Q9

Who is Lindsay in the movie?

Lindsay is a college professor in Some Girl(s) who once mentored Man and had an affair with him. She represents the power dynamics and emotional exploitation that can hide beneath seemingly equal relationships, confronting Man about the manipulation she experienced.

  • lindsay
  • college professor
  • mentor
  • affair
  • power dynamics
Q10

Who is Sam in the movie?

Sam is Man's high school girlfriend in Some Girl(s), now married with children, who represents the lingering pain of an abrupt teenage breakup. Her confrontation with Man illustrates how unresolved emotional wounds from youth can follow people into adulthood and shape future relationships.

  • sam
  • high school girlfriend
  • ex
  • unresolved trauma
Q11

Who is Tyler in the movie?

Tyler is a free-spirited woman in Some Girl(s) who shared a passionate relationship with Man and still carries resentment over his eventual abandonment. Her character embodies the tension between lingering affection and frustration when a partner refuses to commit.

  • tyler
  • free-spirited
  • passion
  • resentment
Q12

Who is Reggie in the movie?

Reggie is a childhood friend of Man in Some Girl(s) who serves as a voice of accountability throughout the story. She confronts him about a past incident that has haunted her, emphasizing how one's actions ripple outward and the importance of recognizing harm done to others.

  • reggie
  • childhood friend
  • accountability
Q13

Is the movie set in modern times?

Yes, Some Girl(s) is set in contemporary times, reflecting modern relationship dynamics and the societal expectations around commitment and marriage that resonate with today's audiences.

  • contemporary
  • modern
  • time period
  • setting
Q14

What is the overall tone of the movie?

Some Girl(s) carries a melancholic, reflective tone, dwelling on emotional wounds and quiet regret without becoming bleak. Though categorized as a drama-comedy, its humor is subtle and largely overshadowed by earnest, intimate confrontations between Man and each of his former partners.

  • tone
  • melancholy
  • drama
  • comedy
  • emotional

Movie threads

More Movies Like Some Girl(s), by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Some Girl(s) tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies like Some Girl(s) about revisiting exes before commitment

Stories where confronting old flames becomes a last chance at self-understanding. Looking for movies like Some Girl(s)? These intimate dramas follow characters who confront former lovers and past mistakes before making a defining life choice. If you liked Some Girl(s), you'll find similar reflective stories about commitment, regret, and the emotional cost of moving on. Each recommendation offers a quietly devastating look at love, accountability, and self-examination on the road to commitment.

  • reflective
  • confrontational
  • regretful
  • introspective
  • emotionally heavy
  • candid
  • Tone: melancholic, reflective
  • Pacing: steady, conversational
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories usually unfold as an episodic, road-movie-like structure where a single protagonist travels from encounter to encounter, each visit with a former partner unlocking a different chapter of their shared history. Conflict is interior rather than action-driven, with revelations arriving through dialogue, confession, and uncomfortable silences. The arc moves from defensive rationalization toward painful honesty, and the protagonist's growth, or lack thereof, becomes the central question the ending refuses to neatly resolve.

Why they belong together: They are grouped together because they share a tightly specific setup: a protagonist who must face the romantic past before embracing the future, usually under the shadow of an approaching wedding or major commitment. The emotional register, melancholic but not hopeless, and the episodic structure of confrontations make the viewing experience feel similar across these films, rewarding viewers who enjoy character-driven, reflective dramas.

Quietly heavy emotional reckonings like Some Girl(s)

Dialogue-driven dramas that hold you in tender, aching self-confrontation. If you liked Some Girl(s) and want more movies with a similar quietly devastating tone, this thread collects dialogue-driven dramas that explore emotional accountability, fear of intimacy, and the long shadow of past relationships. These are similar films to Some Girl(s) that prioritize character and conversation, with melancholic atmospheres and ambiguous endings that linger long after the credits roll.

  • melancholic
  • introspective
  • somber
  • emotionally charged
  • quietly heavy
  • confrontational
  • Tone: melancholic, somber
  • Pacing: steady, character driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Films in this thread tend to unfold through intimate two-handers or small ensemble scenes, with minimal plot machinery and maximum emotional pressure. Characters arrive carrying unspoken grievances, and the drama emerges as those grievances are slowly, painfully surfaced. The pace rarely spikes; instead, it simmers. Endings typically resist easy resolution, leaving viewers with the unsettling but honest sense that change is possible but not guaranteed, and that self-knowledge is a wound as much as a gift.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped because they share a distinct viewing experience: low action, high emotional stakes, and a tone that earns its heaviness through performance, writing, and restraint rather than spectacle. Viewers who connected with Some Girl(s)'s steady, melancholic pacing, its focus on interpersonal rather than external conflict, and its morally complicated protagonist will find a natural home here. The thread prioritizes mood and emotional texture over plot mechanics.

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Every angle

Some Girl(s) (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Some Girl(s) in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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